There are many unsafe driving practices that can create a significant risk of causing an auto collision in San Francisco, but one of the most common causes of accidents is failing to allow a safe following distance. Although most drivers in the Bay Area are well aware of the danger of not complying with the three second following rule that is designed to prevent serious auto collisions, many drivers continue to tailgate other vehicles. When drivers tailgate other vehicles, especially at freeway speeds, it poses an extremely high risk of collisions because the trailing vehicle has no time to stop or engage in evasive action to avoid a serious collision.
While the basic rule for safe following distance is the three second rule, this is really a minimum safety guideline. If you are driving at higher rates of speed, caught in heavy traffic or driving in poor weather conditions, these factors may make it appropriate to allow an even greater following distance. Tailgating is usually a function of anxious drivers trying to cut a few minutes off their time or aggressive driving by drivers who are annoyed or expressing impatience with another driver. The point is that tailgating is often accompanies by other forms of poor and unsafe driving so it is never a good idea to antagonize a distracted driver.
Despite the fact that tailgating is an extremely hazardous driving practice, it is difficult for law enforcement to enforce laws that prevent the practice. Generally, the only time people receive traffic tickets for unsafe following distance is after a collision has occurred. The subjective nature of determining following distance can make it much harder to enforce laws prohibiting tailgating than speeding, DUI and unlawful use of cell phones while driving. These types of offenses can be easier for police officers to detect by simple visual observation or even use of a radar gun in the case of drivers that are speeding.
Tailgating creates a significant risk of harm because it both increases the likelihood of a traffic collision and the severity of injury in the event of a San Francisco car accident. The probability of a collision is increased because a driver has no time to respond when the car being followed suddenly applies the brakes to avoid a collision. The driver also is left with less time to execute an emergency maneuver such as swerving or moving into an adjacent lane to avoid a collision. The lack of ability to respond can also mean that there is little opportunity to slow one’s vehicle or avoid a direct impact, which may result in more severe injuries.
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If you are injured in a San Francisco auto accident, our experienced San Francisco auto accident lawyers at Zimmerman Law may be able to help. We invite you to contact us as soon as possible because critical deadlines apply. We invite you to contact The Law Office of Ian Zimmerman for your free initial consultation. We are open 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., speak Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese, and are available for weekend, evening, home and hospital meetings and visits. We also offer free initial consultations and work exclusively on a contingency fee basis so that you pay nothing if we don’t win your case.